'afterwort' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'æfterwyrt', where 'æfter' meant 'after' and 'wyrt' meant 'plant or root'.

'æfterwyrt' transformed into the Middle English word 'afterwort', and eventually became the modern English word 'afterwort'.

Initially, it meant 'a plant used after other treatments', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a specific type of herb'.